I have loved graphic design for as long as I can remember. I was less than 10 years old when I had my first experience with Photoshop. I started with photo manipulations and restoration. Slowly, my interest in graphic design grew and I worked to broaden my skills.

I first explored color harmony. I tried to learn as much as I could about colors and how to combine them. I then dedicated myself learning everything there is to know about typography and now 10 years later… I still try to learn more and more – its a never ending process.

How do you get your design inspiration?

I get my inspiration in a variety of ways – a client with a really good design brief can be great source of inspiration all by itself. Nature is very inspiring- just walk around with open eyes and inspiration is everywhere! Things that may look like nothing special at the first can be really be inspiring upon a second look. Music and my daughter are other big resources of inspiration for me – children see the world with different eyes, listen to them and learn from them 😉

I think I came to 99designs like most other designers – I was browsing through a few web pages and I stumbled upon it. In the very first moment I actually wanted to close the page but something stopped me… I’m happy I didn’t.

As I read more about 99designs – I loved the concept and thought I would give it try. I won the second contest I entered and I was HOOKED from that moment on – it was a great feeling that clients loved my designs. With many of the clients I have met at 99designs I have been able to cultivate great client relationship long after the contest ends.

I also found a lot of good designer friends on 99designs such as KhingKhing (actually I’ve known him from years before I came to 99designs) Maka, Gabriella, Digital Martin and Isuk.
Guys forgive me if I forget somebody 🙂

What are three things designers can do to have success at 99designs?

I’ve gotten a few emails, skype calls and chat questions from people asking me this very same question…
What can we do to win. Is there a secret… if so tell me. Ok here is what I think about this:

1.Choose a contest that fits you! Don’t choose a contest based on the highest prize. Choose your contests by your skills!

2.Read the brief. Read it carefully, think about and read it again.
Many times I write down a few key words on a sheet of paper to remember the most important things… like Portrait, Business Card, No Female Color, Clean, etc… Now if you still have any open questions – ask the client.

3.Make nice mockups! I’ve seen many cases where designers have had great designs but their presentation was bad. There is no second chance for the first impression – so sell yourself as good as possible. Try to show your design in the best light and demonstrate your professionalism to the client. If the client wants a business card with metallic foil print, than make some mockups so that the client can imagine how the card will finally look. For example you can show a gold foil to the client in this way.

A good design with bad presentation can loose against an OK design with great presentation!!!! KEEP THIS IN MIND.

4. Respect yourself, other designers, the client and of course me *lol* just kidding

What do you love most about being a designer?

My creative freedom! I love that every contest I join, every design I make is a
new challenge. I can take different approaches to reach a goal – there is no step 1, step 2, step 3. It’s just the result that counts. And as a designer, I love to chance to surprise clients with something totally unexpected.